BOSTON -- Asked Monday night whether he hates the Boston Celtics more than any other team, Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade initially replied with just one word:

"Yes."

But Wade said his hatred comes with respect.

"No doubt about it. I respect those guys," he said. "I'm sure they respect us as well. There's a respect when you see guys later, but when you play each other it's a dislike."

“Playoffs, battles," Wade explained. "I don’t have this history with other teams like I do with the Celtics. Every year, we’ve been booked to play them in the playoffs in some way -- first round, Eastern Conference finals, doesn't matter where it's been, second round. So, it’s a dislike."